Kohima, December 17: The 20th State conference of Manipur Loumi Marup was inaugurated today at Youth Centre, Khuman Lampak.

In the inaugural function of the three day conference, Minister of Agriculture, Ph Parijat presided as chief guest while president of the Marup, Langpoklakpam Kunja was the functional president.

Moreover, secretary of CPI(M) Manipur State committee, Dr Y Mahendra, president of Senior Citizens' Forum, N Binoy and social worker, L Tiken attended the inaugural session as guests of honour.

People should acknowledge that farmers are the backbone of any civilization, observed Parijat while addressing as chief guest.

Social evolution of any sort must begin with farmers and workers, he added.

Further the Minister stressed on the importance of scientific methods in agriculture to promote crop yield keeping in view of the ever increasing population and the corresponding reduction in agricultural land.

He invited recommendations from the farmers on the ways and means to check the alarming decrease in agricultural land.

The lavish use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in high acidity in the fields and has become a serious threat to agriculture sustainability in the State, observed Parijat while mentioning of the efforts taken up by the Government including soil testing, lectures, seminars etc to bring awareness to the farmers concerning the enormous ill effects of excessive chemical fertilizers.

The Agriculture Minister also appealed to the farmers to take the benefit of subsidy on agricultural equipment like tractors, harvesting machines etc.

In his presidential speech, Dr L Kunja remarked that this year crop yield has been severely affected by water scarcity while calling for a united forum of farmers to look into problems faced from time to time.

Reflecting on the changing situation, Dr Y Mahendra observed that farmers of today need education and scientific approach.

He also cautioned that pro-West approach of WTO encompasses Manipur too whereby it becomes imperative for the State to be vigilant and informative to its ploy.

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